Robert “Bob” Larkin of Huntsville peacefully went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. He was 94.
He was a veteran of the United States Coast Guard and a graduate of API (later Auburn University), where he earned a degree in electrical engineering. During his lifetime, he was blessed with two happy marriages.
By the time of his college graduation, he and his first wife, Mary, already had four little ones to feed. He and his family moved to San Diego for his job. He was instrumental in the launching of Saturn V in the early days of space exploration. After moving to Huntsville in the early 1960s, Bob grew to become an accomplished classical violinist and served as the Concert Master of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra for 15 years.
He could tell some fascinating stories about the artists for whom he played such as Red Skelton, Tony Bennett, and Tony Orlando and Dawn.
After the death of his first wife in 1986, he met his second beloved wife, Leo, whom he married in 1991. Together, they formed Classical Country Connection featuring Bob on violin, Leo on guitar and harmonica, and Leo’s son, Shane, on guitar and vocals. They were well known for performing every Saturday and Sunday during the months of April, May, and October at Bennett’s Nursery in Huntsville for 28 consecutive years. Bob always said that music was his passion but engineering paid the bills.
Bob was a faithful Christian and saw that his family was always faithfully involved in the church. For the last 31 years, he had been a member of the Hazel Green United Methodist Church. He and Leo had the opportunity to share their love for music and for the Lord on mission trips across the globe, including places such as South Africa.
He was preceded in death by his first wife (of 34 years), Mary Willis Larkin; his son, John Larkin; his son-in-law, Gunter Livingston; his grandson, Sean Larkin; his great-granddaughter, Aubrey Livingston; his brother, John Arthur Larkin; his parents, Harvey Johnston Larkin and Lillian Josephine Larkin.
Surviving family members include his wife of 35 years, Leo W. Larkin; his children: Anne Livingston, Glenn (Doris) Larkin, Carol Wright, Donald Larkin, Shane (Lisa) Adkins, and Dan Adkins; his daughter-in-law, Candy Larkin; his grandchildren: Gina Young, Matthew Livingston, Anna Carlson, Bo Larkin, Max Wright, Ian Larkin, Scott Larkin, Michael Larkin, Drew Larkin, and Jim Adkins; his ten great-grandchildren: Mary Ellen Adkins, Keira Young, Connor Young, Olivia Livingston, Lauren Livingston, Hannah Larkin, Olivia Larkin, Violet Larkin, Harper Wright, and Easton Wright; he is also survived by his sister, Mary Larkin.
There will be a Celebration of Bob’s life on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 3 p.m. at Hazel Green Funeral Home. The family will begin receiving friends at 2 p.m. His remains will be interred in the future at the new Veterans Cemetery in New Market.
Bob will be remembered for his work ethic that he passed on to his children, for his love for his music, Jesus, and the people around him, and for being a true gentleman.
Hazel Green Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.
